Knitting machine controllers



Dec. 25, 1962 G. WARREN 3,069,881

KNITTING MACHINE CONTROLLERS Filed June 26, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 8 F/G/ K 1 (H68) 1 deg Inventor GEORGE WARREN y a is M W 7 Attorney;

Dec. 25, 1962 G. WARREN 3,069,881

KNITTING MACHINE CONTROLLERS Filed June 26, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 L7 L dds; G765) flG L3 (4 06.4) Llfif QF L9(F/G.5.)

\L/O (F/GZ) Inventor GEORGE MRRE v Dec. 25, 1962 e. WARREN 3,069,881

KNITTING MACHINE CONTROLLERS Inventor (f-Eoki-E h/ARRE V y M W attorneys Dec. 25, 1962 G. WARREN 3,069,881

KNITTING MACHINE CONTROLLERS Filed June 26, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I nvenlor GEORGE WA RREN y 6 a W/ W 7 Attorney Dec. 25, 1962' Filed June 26, 1961 F/GG G. WARREN NITTING MACHINE CONTROLLERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Haw I nventor 650 15 WARREN y 7 wwzzfig Unitc This invention relates to controllers for knitting machines.

The shape of a knitted article depends on the fashions i.e. the increase or decrease in the number of stitches in a course compared with the preceding course, and on the number of courses between successive fashions. In known knitting machines a course is knitted during one revolution of a camshaft. When a fashion occurs, the production of stitches to form a course is interrupted for one revolution of the camshaft, and during this revolotion the required increase or decrease in the number of stitches is effected. It is known practice to control a machine by a chain having trips spaced along its length, the trips determining whether fashioning or the knitting of a course should take place by operating trip-engaging members. These chains, however, are cumbersome both to use and to store.

According to the invention there is provided an electric controller, suitable for controlling the number of courses and fashions completed by one or more knitting machines, which includes courses and fashions sensing means for sensing respectively courses and fashions numbers recorded in a permanent record; courses and fashions temporary stores; courses and fashions transfer devices for transferring sensed courses and fashions numbers respectively to the courses and fashions temporary stores; courses and fashions counting signal generators for repeatedly applying a respective counting signal to the courses and fashions temporary stores, whereby the numbers in the respective stores are decreased by unity at each successive respective counting signal; courses and fashions limit signal generators operable when a number stored in the res ective store has been decreased to a predetermined value to deliver respectively a courses or fashions limit signal; a sequence control outlet which forwards a signal applied thereto to cause the selection of a part of the permanent record next to be sensed; a machine control outlet which passes a signal applied thereto forward to the machine as a machine control signal; and a switching device operable in dependence on courses and fashions limit signals to apply signals selectively to the sequence control outlet and to the machine control outlet.

The permanent record may take any suitable form, cg. punched card, punched tape, magnetic tape, provided appropriate sensing means are used. In addition to the numbers sensed and transferred into the controller, the permanent record may also contain other information sensed independently of the controller and applied directly to the machine. The electric controller and the permanent record enable the chat and trips to be dispensed with.

The invention will now be described with reference to an embodiment suitable for use with a punched card and iliustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows schematically the sensing arrangements and the courses and fashions temporary stores;

FIGURE 2 shows a gate controlling circuit for gates in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 shows a coincidence gate which is also used as a courses limit signal generator;

FI'GURE 4 shows part of the courses temporary store capable of storing the courses units digit;

rates Eatent ice WW Patented Dec. 25, 1%62 FIGURE 5 shows a courses counting signal generator, and a courses relay operating circuit;

FIGURE 6 shows a fashions limit signal generator; FIGURE 7 shows a relay contact network; FIGURE 8 shows a circuit used for establishing manual control of the number of courses knitted.

Outline of Operation Two numbers are read from the card, one representing the number of fashions to be performed by the machine, and the other the number of courses to be knitted between successive fashions. After being read, the numbers are stored respectively in fashions and courses temporary stores. The car also contains information as to whether any particular fashion is an increase or decrease in the number of stitches per course and as to the number of stitches concerned, but this information is sensed independently of the controller and is applied directly to the machine. The machine is assumed to have a camshaft which revolves once during the knitting of a course, a fashion being effected during a camshaft revolution while the knitting of courses is suspended. Each camshaft revolution resulting in the knitting of a course causes a reduction by one of the number in the courses store, and when the number is reduced to zero the knitting of courses is stopped. During the ensuing camshaft revolution the machine is controlled to perform a fashions operation and the number in the fashions store is reduced by one: during the fashions operation the courses store is reset. At the next revolution of the camshaft, the knitting of courses is resumed. The cycle is repeated until the number in the fashions store is reduced to Zero. The punched card is then moved, new courses and fashions numbers are sensed, and the process is re-commenced. The processes continue until all the information on the card has been sensed. If only a fashions number is stored, the machine is controlled to perform a fashions operation at each camshaft revolution until the stored number is reduced to zero, at which stage the card is moved to enable further numbers to be sensed. Provision is made for optional manual control of the number of courses between successive fashions.

Detailed Description The courses and fashions numbers recorded on a punched card are each within the decimal range 00-99. Each digit is recorded in binary code, using four binary elements. Hence the sensing means of the controller has sixteen sensing elements, eight for courses and eight for fashions. One of each is shown respectively at S1, S2, in FIGURE 1, all being grounded by a contact AM]; of an automatic/manual change-over switch. The contacts of the sensing elements are normally open, but they close when a hole in the punched card is sensed. When the sensing element St closes, connection is effected with the emitter of a gating transistor, e.g. T 1, through a diode, e.g. duff. The closing of the sensing contact of any one of the eight courses sensing elements, e.g. Si, also effects connection through a diode, e.g. dd2, with a common relay D. Alternatively, if the change-over switch is operated, its contact AMT is open and a connection may be effected over its operated contact AMZ (FIGURE 8), lead 14 and a selected position of a pre-set multi-switch ps (FIGURE 1) to the emitter of a gating transistor, e.g. T1, and through a diode, e.g. dd3 to relay D. The collector of each gating transistor is taken to one element of the eight element courses temporary store TSl. The multi-switch ps may be a uniselector having an arc corresponding to each element of the store TSi. Each switch position corresponds to a number to be stored. The lead L14 is connected to the bank contacts so that, for each switch position, ground from lead L14 may be extended to the transistor gates corresponding to the store elements in which a binary one is to be stored.

in the gate control circuit of FIGURE 2, negative potential is applied over contact all of relay D to the base of transistor T4 which therefore conducts. From the collector potential of transistor T4 the base potential of transistors T2, T3 are derived, both being non-conductive. The collector potential of transistor T3 is used to cause transistor T6 to conduct. Through diodes dd-t', dd5, the collector potential of transistor T6 is applied over leads L1, L2 to the coincidence gate shown in 3, which is also used, as will be seen later, to generate a limit signal. From the coincidence gate, a set-to-zero potential is applied over leads shown collectively at L3 to each of the eight elements of the store T81 to cause the left-hand transistor of each pair (see FIGURE 4) to conduct, this condition representing zero. The collector potential of the transistor T2 is applied over lead L i to the bases of the gating transistors, e.g. Tl, which are thereby held in their conductive state.

When a sensing element, e.g. S1 (FIGURE 1) senses a hole in a card, the emitter of the gating transistor, e.g. T1, is grounded, wh reupon the transistor conducts and applies a marking potential to the corresponding element of the store T81. The marking potential tends to make the right-hand transistor of the elemental pair conduct, but it is initially ineffective on account of the continuance of the set-to-zero potential. The element, therefore, temporarily assume an unstable state. While the gating transistor T1. is conducting, the relay D is energising and eventually operates. When the relay D operates, its contact all (FIGURE 2) opens, removing negative bias from the base of transistor T4 which stops conducting. The collector of transistor T4 assumes a negative potential which is applied immediately to the base of transistor T3, and, after a delay determined by the resistors R1, R2 and the capacitor CPI, to the base of transistor T2. Transistor T3, therefore, stops conducting immediately, switching off transistor T6 and removing the set-to-zero potential from the store T51. At this stage, the marking potential becomes effective, and the transfer of the sensed number to the temporary store T51 is com pleted'. When the transfer has been completed, the transistor T2 becomes conductive, removing the negative po tential from the bases of the gating transistors, e.g. Tl (FIGURE 1) which become non-conductive under the influence of a local positive bias. The number sensed from the card has now been transferred to the store TS}.

The courses temporary store T31 consists of two sets, one for each decimal digit, of two binary elements, of which the units set is shown in FIGURE 4, the lead L13 being taken to terminal 13 of the tens-set for carry purposes. Each binary element includes a pair of grounded emitter transistors, e.g. T7, T8, of which, under stable conditions, only one is conducting at any given time. The set-to-zero potential is applied to the collectors of the lefthand transistors, e.g. T7, by way of terminal t4. Potential derived from the closing of the contact of a sensing element is applied to the collector of the right-hand transistor, e.g. T3, of the corresponding binary element of the store, e.g. to terminal L2. The pairs of transistors are interconnected by leads, e.g. L5, so that each time a pulse signal is applied to an input terminal t3 the number stored in the store T81 is reduced by unity. The four binary elements of the store Will count from zero up to fifteen, but since the required range is zero to nine, a transistor 1 is provided to convert the basic scale of T6 to a scale of 1d. The collector of each transistor, e.g. T7, T8, is connected to a terminal e.g. t4, 12. The binary element comprising the transistors T7, T8 is used to store the binary units bit, and the terminal I4 is connected to the lefthand lead L3 (FIGURE 3). Hence, when the count in the store is reduced to l the lead connected to terminal t4 is at ground potential and the other leads L3 are at positive potential. Under these conditions the gate of 4 FIGURE 3 opens and delivers a limiting signal over lead L9.

The controller also has a courses counting signal generator and a courses relay operating circuit as shown in FIGURE 5. The counting signal generator comprises a monostable circuit including two transistors T9, Tit}, and the relay operating circuit includes the transistors TiilT15. When power is first switched on to the controller, the transistors Tltl, T13, T14 become conductive, the contacts AMI-4 (FIGURES l, 5 and 8) of the auto matic/manual change-over switch being in the automatic position as shown. At each revolution of the machine camshaft (not shown), a courses cam-operated contact (not shown) is closed and applies a pulse (indicated by the arrow) through resistors R3, R4 to the base of transistor T9. For the duration of the pulse, transistor T9 becomes conductive and transistor T16 non-conductive. The rise of collector potential of the transistor T9 during this period is applied as a pulse to leads L6, L7, L8. The interaction of the transistors T9, T10, is arranged so that spurious signals due to bouncing of the cam-operated contact do not cause corresponding pulses on leads L6, L7, L8. Lead L6 is taken to the input terminal :3 (FIGURE 4) of the courses temporary store T31 and a pulse of lead L6 operates to reduce by unity a number stored in this store. Until a limit signal has been generated, the pulses applied to leads L7, L8, are ineffective; the former on account of the bias applied to diode dd9 (FIGURE 2) over lead L10 and resistor R5 from the coincidence gate of FIGURE 3; and the latter on account of the bias applied over resistor R7 to diode dde at the base of transistor T14. When a stored number has been reduced to 1, a limit signal is generated at the coincidence gate of FIGURE 3 and applied by lead L9 and resistor R7 to the base of transistor T14. At the next camshaft revolution, the pulses on leads L6, L8 are both effective, that on lead L7 being ineffective. The pulse on lead L6 reduces the stored number to 0; the pulse on lead L8 switches off the circuit through transistors T13, T14. Transistors T12, T11, therefore, conduct and the courses switching relay B is energised. A pulse on lead L7 is not effective until the next revolution of the camshaft, i.e. until the machine is performing a fashions operation. The action of the pulse will be described later.

At a later point in the camshaft revolution, a knock-off pulse KO (FIGURE 5) is delivered from a knocloofi contact (not shown) and applied through resistors Rlt), R11 to the base of transistor T15, which is caused to conduct. If, earlier in the revolution, transistor T14 was switched otf in order to operate relay B, the transistor T14 is now made conductive again and relay B is released. A knock-off pulse is delivered to the base of transistor T15 during each camshaft revolution, but the operation of transistor T15 is ineffective unless transistor T14 was switched oif earlier in the revolution. Transister T13 enables the action of the relay B to be controlled manually if desired (as will be explained later).

Referring again to FIGURE 1, a fashions number is sensed by fashions sensing elements, e.g. S2, and transferred to a fashions temporary store TSZ. over unoperated contacts, e.g. c1, of a relay C. As soon as a hole is. sensed, relay E is operated. The closing of contact 21 grounds lead L11, which by means of diodes dd7, ddd (FEGURE 6) raises the base potential of transistor T16 and causes it to cease conducting. The change in collector potential of transistor T16 is applied by leads and their respective diodes denoted generally at L12 to remove the set-to-zero potential from the temporary store TSZ. The store TSZ is identical in construction with the store T51, the leads L12 being terminated in the same manner as the leads L3. With contact e1 closed, relay C starts to energise, but before its contacts, e.g. c1, have operated, the sensed number has been transferred to the store TSZ. A fashions counting signal generator and a fashions relay operating circuit are provided identical in construction with FIGURE 5 except for the omission of leads L7, Lf, the transistor T13 and the manual control circuit connected to its base and the contacts AM and I24. The emitter of the transistor equivalent to T14 is grounded, the lead equivalent to L6 is taken to the fashions store T32, and the relay equivalent to B is denoted A. At each camshaft revolution during which a fashion operation is effected, a second or fashions camoperated contact (not shown) applies a pulse to the generator which operates to reduce by unity a number in the fashions store TSZ. When the number has been reduced to 1 a limit signal is generated by a co-incidence gate (not shown) and at the next fashion operation the fashions switching relay A (not shown) is operated. The release of relay A is effected by means of the knock-off pulse KO.

A fashions operation involves an axial movement of the machine camshaft known as shogging, and in order to count fashions operations it is convenient to arrange that the second or fashions cam-operated contact only engages with its cam when the camshaft has been displaced. The contact used for counting courses and the contact which delivers the knock-off pulse KO operate whether or not the camshaft has been placed. When during a fashions operation, the contact used for counting courses is closed, the courses counting signal generator (FIGURE 5) delivers a pulse over lead L7. During a fashions operation, a zero count is stored in the courses store T81. Consequently the gate of FEGURE 3 is open. In this condition the bias applied to diode r1519 (FTGURE 2) over lead Lid and resistor R5 is such that the pulse on lead L7 from the signal generator passes the diode da9 (FIGURE 2) and reaches the base of the transistor T5, which is normally conductive. The pulse on lead L7 switches transistor T5 to its non-conductive state. By means of resistor R8, capacitor CPL; and resistor R9, capacitor CPI), potentials derived from the base and collector potentials of transistor T5 are applied respectively to the collector and base of transistor T4, causing transistor T4 to conduct. Transistors T3, T2 consequently cease conducting, so switching the gating transistors, e.g. T1, to the conductive condition, i.e. opening the gates. If the punched card has not been moved since it was last sensed, the sensing elements, e.g. S1, will still sense the same holes, and, therefore, when the gates open, the number previously sensed will be re-entered in the courses store TSl. On the other hand, if the card has been moved, a new number is sensed. In this connection the delayed response of transistor T2, which has already been mentioned in connection with switching on the transistor, is also employed at this juncture when the transistor is switched off, so that the gates remain closed until sufficient time has elapsed for the card to be moved to its new position.

The controller controls the machine by means of a fashions relay F (FIGURE 7). When the fashions relay F is operated a fashions solenoid forming part of the machine is energised. With the fashions solenoid energised the machine will perform a fashions operation, but

the fashions operation will not be initiated until the machine has completed any operation (either courses or fashions) on which it may be engaged when the solenoid is first energised. Also, once initiated, a fashions operation is carried through to completion even if the fashions solenoid is released before the operation is complete. The controller has a card-racking relay operable to energise a card-racking solenoid which may or may not form part of the machine as found convenient. When the cardracking solenoid is energised, the punched card is moved by means of a rack so that holes representing new numbers are brought into position to be sensed. The operation of the relays F, CR is controlled by the contact network shown in FTGURE 7, in which the contacts are operated by the relays A, B, D, E already mentioned. Suppose now that the fashions number 5 and the courses number 3 are sensed from a card, indicating that the machine is required to perform five fashions operations and to knit three courses between each. Power is applied to the controller at the same time as the machine is switched on, and while the mechanical inertia of the machine is being overcome the controller senses and responds to the first numbers on the card, thereby controlling the machine from the first revolution of the camshaft. Consequently, before the first revolution is completed, 3 has been stored in the courses store TSl leaving relay D operated, and 5 has been stored in the fashions store TSZ leaving relays C, E operated. The machine then knits courses until the courses store TSI records zero, when relay B operates. A circuit is completed over contacts 24 (operated) and d3 (operated) (in parallel), d2 (operated), bi (operated) and e3 (operated) to energise the fashions elay F. During the next revolution (1') the machine performs a fashions operation (ii) the count in the fashions store T52 is reduced to 4 (iii) relay B is released, followed by relay F when contact [21 opens (iv) 3 is resensed and re-entered into the courses store TSl. There then follows the knitting of three courses, and after these a further fashioning, and so on until the fashions store TS2 records zero, when relay A is operated. A circuit is completed over contacts e4 (operated) a1 (operated), e2 (operated) to energise the card-racking relay CR, which operates to move the card for new numbers to be sensed.

if a number is stored in the courses store T81 but none is recorded in the fashions store TSZ, then when the count in store TS is reduced to zero and relay B is operated, the card-racking relay CR is energised over contacts d3 (operated), d2 (operated), b1 (operated), c3 and hi. Con versely, if a number is stored in the fashions store T82 but none is recorded in the courses store TSi, the fashions rclay F is energised over contacts e4 (operated), d2, e3 (operated) and is held operated over this circuit while the contacts of store TS]. are counted down to zero. At this stage, relay A is operated and the card-racking relay CR is energised over contacts ed (operated), at (operated), e2 (operated).

To establish manual control over the number of courses between successive fashions, the automatic/ manual switch is changed over while the machine is performing a fashions operation. The switch contacts AM1-AM4 are, therefore, changed-over from their automatic positions shown in the drawings to their manual positions. The opening of contact AMT (FIGURE 1) removes the ground from the sensing elements, e.g. S1, S2, which are thereby rendered ineffective, and releases relays C, D, E if operated. With contacts d3 (FIGURE 7), 24 both open, relay F is released. The opening of contact Alt/l3 (FIGURE 5) removes bias from the base of transistor T13, operating relay B and opening contact b2 (FIG- URE 8). The machine completes the fashions operation on which it was engaged, and then, since relay F is released, starts a courses operation. This courses operation is the first of a succession of courses operations which continues indefinitely as long as power is applied to the machine. While the last course of a desired number of courses is being knitted, the attendant depresses a nonlocking push-button pb (FIGURE 8). Relay G then operates over contacts AMZ (operated) pb (operated), I13, and holds over contact g3 (operated) enabling the pushbutton pb to be released. The closing of contact g1 (FIG- URE 7) operates relay F, and the closing of contact g2 (FIGURE 5) restores negative bias to the base of transistor T13. With relay F (FIGURE 7) operated, the machine is prepared to start a fashions operation on completion of the courses operation which it is performing.

At any time up to this juncture, either before or after changing over the automatic/ manual switch, the attendant may set the multi-switch ps to a position corresponding to the number of courses required after the fashions operation which the machine is about to start.

The machine now starts the fashions operation brought about by the depression of the push-button pb (FIGURE 8). Towards the end of this operation, an auxiliary knockoff pulse k (FIGURE is delivered by a further camoperated contact which is effective only when the machine camshaft is shogged. This pulse k0 is applied over contacts k4, AMd (operated) to release relay B. Contact 122 (FIGURE 8) restores, operating relay H which holds over its operated contacts I13, I15. The auxiliary knockoff pulse k0 is delivered earlier in the camshaft revolution than the knock-off pulse K0 in order to allow relay H to operate before the end of the fashions operation. With contact I13 operated, relay G is released, opening contact gf (FIGURE 7) and releasing relay F. Also, with contact 1'13 (FIGURE 8) operated, ground is applied to lead Lid, and thence by the multi-switch ps (FIG- URE 1) to the courses temporary store T81 which is thereby set to the value represented by the position of the multi-switch. Relay D operates, the opening of contact 111 (FIGURE 2) causing the transistor gates, e.g. T1, to become non-conductive. With contacts d2 (FI URE 7), 13, 121 all operated and contacts 22, e3 released, the card-racking relay CR is disconnected and the fashions relay F is brought under the control of contact bl. The machine now completes the fashions operation during which the auxiliary knock-01f pulse was applied, and starts knitting courses to the extent determined by the number recorded in the store T51 (FIGURE 1).

While these courses are being knitted, the attendant may or may not change the setting of the multi-switch ps (FiG- URE 1) according to whether a different or the same number of courses is required after the next fashions operation.

The machine knits courses until the store TS (FIG- URE l) is counted down to zero. When this occurs, relay B (FIGURE 5) operates, and relay F (FIGURE 7) operates over contact bl (operated). The machine then starts a fashions operation, during which relay B (Fi -SURE 5) released by the knock-off pulse KO delivered over contacts 114 (opera-ted) AM4 (operated). Contact bl (FIGURE 7) opens and releases relay F.

The machine then knits courses to the extent determined by the number recorded in the store TSl (FIF- URE l) and so on. Relay H remains operated until the automatic/ manual switch is restored.

To revert to control by the punched card, the automatic/manual switch is restored to its automatic position, i.e. the contacts Altfl-Alvff revert to the position shown in the drawings. The opening of contact AMZ (FIG- URE 8) releases relay H and removes the ground from lead L14. The closing of contact AME (FEGURE 1) restores the sensing elements, erg. S1, S7. to effective operation. The closing of contact AM?) (FIGURE 5) supplies negative bias to the base of transistor T13. The restoration of contact AM4 prepares a circuit for the delivery of the knock-off pulse KO.

it will be appreciated that the term course covers both a row of stitches in an article in which adjacent rows are knitted in opposite directions, and a ring of stitches in an article knitted in a cyclic machine. It will also be appreciated that the functioning of the corn troller is independent of the type of stitches used by the machine. The controller may, therefore, be applied to machines producing such products as lace knitting or rib knitting.

Further, one controller may control more than one machine. This may be accomplished in various ays, for example if each controlled machine has its own fashions solenoid, the fashions solenoids may be included in a common circuit controlled by a contact of the fashions relay, or the fashions relay may be provided with a number of contacts each directly controlling one fashions solenoid. Alternatively, one fashions solenoid may be provided, the control being transmitted courses and fashions temporary stores; courses and fashions transfer devices for transferring sensed courses and fashions numbers respectively to the courses and fashions temporary stores; courses and fashions counting signal generators for repeatedly applying a respective Counting signal to the courses and fashions temporary store, whereby the numbers in the respective stores are dereased by unity at each successive respective counting signal; courses and fashions limit signal generators operable when a number stored in the respective store has been decreased to a predetermined value to deliver respectively a courses or fashions limit signal; a sequence control outlet which forwards a signal applied thereto to cause the selection of a part of the permanent record next to be sensed; a machine control outlet which passes a signal applied thereto forward to the machine as a machine control signal; and a switching device operable in dependence on courses and fashions limit signals to apply signals selectively to the sequence control outlet and to the machine control outlet.

2. In a knitting machine, an electrode controller suitable for controlling the numbers of courses and fashions completed by one or more knitting machines, which includes courses and fashions sensing means suitable for sensing respectively courses and fashions numbers recorded in a punched card; courses and fashions temporary stores having a storage element for each bit of information comprising a pair of interconnected transistors, of which one conducts to indicate storage of binary one and the other conducts to indicate storage of binary zero; courses and fashions transfer devices for transferring sensed courses and fashions numbers respectively to the courses and fashions temporary stores, the courscs transfer device having a normally non-conductive transistor gate corresponding to each element of the courses stores and transistor means for opening said gate for a predetermined period when a zero count is stored in the courses store; courses and fashions counting signal generators for repeatedly applying a respective counting signal to the courses and fashions temporary stores, whereby the numbers in the respective stores are decreased by unity at each successive respective counting signal, each counting signal generator comprising a monostable transistor circuit operated to the unstable condition once during each revolution of a camshaft in the machine; courses and fashions limit signal generators operable when a number stored in the respective store has been decreased to unity to deliver respectively courses and fashions limit signals; a sequence control outlet connected to a card racking relay in the machine energisable to move the punched card into a position where the next number may be sensed; a machine conrol outlet connected to a fashions relay in the machine energisable to cause the machine to perform a fashions operation; and a switching device operable to apply signals selectively to the sequence control outlet and to the machine control outlet, comprising a courses switching relay and a fashions switching relay each operable when the respective store contains a count of zero and the respective limit signal has been delivered, and a contact field including a contact of each switching relay.

3. in a knitting machine an electric controller as claimed in claim 2 in which the switching device passes a signal to the machine control outlet when zero is stored in the courses store and a number is stored in the fashions store, and to the sequence control outlet when Zero is stored in both said stores.

4. In a knitting machine an electric controller as References Cited in the file of this patent claimed in claim 2 which includes a multi-position switch UNITED ATES PATENTS and manually operable switching means operable to provide efiective connection between the multi-position 21731572 Cohen 171 1955 switch and selected ones of said transistor gates in de- 5 O N PATENTS pendence on the position of the multi-position switch, i as well as to render the sensing means ineflective. 560188 Belgmm ""f Sept 1957 

